We are four ladies taking a tour to Egypt in February. We love to see all the sights, museums, libraries, etc.and like to eat but we also like to shop for unusual items that you don't see so readily in the US( esp in the South where we live) . We all love jewelery - not necessarily the expensive pieces but also unusual earrings, bracelets, etc. Also any items for the home to display and remind us of our trip. I've tried searching the threads for good things to shop for but I'm not coming up with anything. I know that you are supposed to bargain in the bazaars - but do you bargain in shops as well. Also - which of the nicer hotels is the closest location to the best shopping? Thanks to all the shoppers out there for your help!!!!

Just got back from Cairo and while I didn't buy that much (lived there for years) I did help others shop!!! You can bargain almost anywhere except the malls (tried - didn't work).

You can get really interesting jewelry. You can get the $$$ stuff but lots of the silver is quite reasonable.

You can also get leather goods, inlaid mother of pearl items (boxes, picture frames), blown glass ornaments and glassware, pashmina scarves, alabaster and onxy pieces (pyramids, votive holders, bowls), appliquéd pillow covers and table runners, brass & copper, interesting glass lanterns, and tons of other stuff. Plus - glass perfume bottles and papyrus are popular.

topping for you because I can't believe I'm the only one who likes shopping in Cairo!

A word of caution: When shopping for jewelry do not let them wrap it up for you, just take it. My friend bought a ring there (I think the stone was onyx, not sure) and they told her they would wrap it while she paid for it. Later when she unwrapped the box, they has switched it with a similar ring which had a big chip in the stone!! So my friend paid for a ring and got a worthless substitute which she never wore.

I realize most jewelers are probably honest and this scam is not unique to Cairo, so please take this advice when shopping anywhere in the world.

These are some of the better stores in the Khan al Khalili. Although some are expensive by Egyptian standards, they give you good value for your money & are honest. You can ask for directions from the other storeowners. People who live here shop in these stores.

Atlas-- sells beautiful silk/cotton fabrics, clothes and fabric shoes. It's on the main drag.

Mustafa's (on a sidestreet near the main entrance. Sells Gallabeyas on the main floor and T-shirts on the floor above it.

Mohamed Said Hassan. Sells beautiful leather items. Hand bags, briefcases, etc. Sells good quality knock offs of Chanel bags.

Gouzlan. These are 2 jewelry stores. One sells more expensive jewelry than the other.

Sadek M. El. Mansouri sells decorative items. It's beside the Mahfouz Cafe.

This is a store that didn't come to me in the same way, but my experience is that it's safe. Ask for Ehab at Hafez Silver. It's on the main drag.

Outside the Khan. These stores are outside the main tourist areas. Unfortunately, they (except for the Zamalek stores) are not close together. You can walk to the stores in Zamalek, or hire a taxi driver to shuttle you to the stores.

There's a women's clothing store in Dokki called Nagada which sells beautiful comfortable flowing clothes and fabrics. It's at 13 Re'faat, Dokki.

El Ain Gallery, Off of Jedda Street which is off the west side of the Shooting Club. It's in Mohandeseen

Al Khatoun. 3 Mohamed Abdo. A store that sells handmade contemporary Egyptian arts and crafts items. It's behind Al Azhar Mosque. www.alkhatoun.com

EQI beautiful clothes made in the Bedouin style. 17 Ahmed Hesmet in Zamalek.

Moroccan Konooz. Sells Moroccan items & things for the house.
2 Ismail Mohamed in Zamalek www.moroccankonooz.com

Have a good time shopping!

Grcxx3, sunshine007 and Debbie:

Sorry I could not make it for the drinks in Cairo, missed the connection in London!!

I just got the bill for your drinks on my Mastercard...Debbie would you please destroy my Mastrercard number !!!

What in the world were you ladies drinking in Cairo!!

I said Stella Beer or maybe tea but the bartender said you drinking the most expensive stuff until 3 AM .

Well okay I hope you all had a good time on me...here is something for each of you

Percy

Oh yes, the Niguib Mahfouz Cafe is named after the Nobel Prize Winning Author who grew up in the area around the Khan al Khalili. It's clean, and a good place for non-alcoholic beverages -- it has great fruit juice cocktails -- and some salad which is the traditional Egyptian appetizers. Oh, yes, there's a clean place to freshen up & a wonderful man who will shine your shoes. Oh, it's in the Khan.